Elderly people, discrimination and some implications for interprofessional work

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the place of elderly people in society and how they might be involved in discrimination in the light of interprofessional issues. After a short discussion of the positive and negative elements of discrimination the question of the extent of discrimination in services and other ways is addressed. Reasons for discrimination are examined and then suggestions made about how any problems can be overcome and, specifically, how far an interprofessional approach can help. The paper concludes by asking what the implications are of the evidence presented both for professionals and for society.

Key Words:

• Discrimination
• elderly people
• interdisciplinay training
• community care planning
• shortage of resources
• priorities